No bomber made so definite a
break with the past as the B-58. The world’s first supersonic
bomber, the Hustler was ordered by the Air Force in 1954, the same
year that Fort Worth produced the last B-36. From the beginning of
its operational career, the Hustler set a string of performance
records that may never be matched by another military bomber.

Alone in its class, the B-58
could fly faster than twice the speed of sound, pinpoint targets from
an altitude of 60,000 feet, and avoid radar in low-level
near-supersonic flight at 500 feet and below. At altitude, the B-58
could cruise at higher speeds than any other bomber in the free
world. The Hustler was powered by four General Electric J-79 engines,
each delivering 15,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner. The B-58
could fly more than 4,500 miles without refueling. With aerial
refueling, the aircraft was a true intercontinental bomber. Its
electronic bombing and navigation system was ten times more precise
than its predecessors, required only two-thirds the space, and
weighed just half as much as earlier systems.

The B-58 dramatically
reversed the trend toward ever larger bomber aircraft. Helping to
minimize the size was a jettisonable pod under the fuselage that held
both the payload, which varied according to the mission, and extra
fuel. To reduce drag, the “area rule” principle was
applied to the design of the B-58 fuselage, giving it a sleek shape.
Strong honeycomb skin material reduced aircraft weight and allowed
the bomber to withstand the high temperatures caused by wind
friction. The unique structure also lessened the susceptibility of
material failures due to sonic fatigue.

On December 1, 1959, the
first production Hustler left the division and was taken across the
runway to Carswell AFB. B-58 production ended two years later, after
116 planes had been built (including eight TB-58 pilot trainers). The
Air Force retired the B-58 in January 1970. The Hustler was built by
Convair which later became General Dynamics.

This site operated by Darrell R. Schmidt, a former B-58 pilot.
To respond or offer suggestions, click on the envelope icon at the
bottom of this page.

HUSTLER
ARMAMENT IS SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE4
"small" nukes fit under the wings, 2 in tandem on each sidevery near the fuselage.The Large red/white nuke
sits inside the larger pod which holds fuel.The
resultant 2-component pod is carried under the belly of the Hustler.

Interactive
display. Click on the MAP in the upper right hand corner to
bring down a visual menu of the different sites within the museum,
then click on a dot within that site to view the exhibits from that
camera angle and then follow(click
on) the arrows.You
can run your mouse over the aircraft and itcan
tell you what it is and in some cases you can click it and find out
even more on the plane. Clicking the button with 4 arrows coming infrom
the corners puts you into full screen mode. "Esc" will
bring you back. WARNING: Time flies when you get immersed in this
tour!

There
are two types of memberships available in the B-58 Hustler
Association, Inc.1).
Any person who served in any capacity with the B-58 and2). Any person who has an
interest
in the B-58 is eligible for Associate Membership.There
is no distinction of any kind between these two types of membership.
Dues are ten (10) dollars for two years, payable during even numbered
years.

Members
are eligible to attend the B-58 reunions, held every even numbered
year. Interested persons should contact the "B-58 HUSTLER
ASSOCIATION, PO Box 126158, Ft Worth, TX 76126." All members
receive the B-58 newsletter. To obtain a B-58 Ass’n Application
click on one of the links below.

.
Full
information and sign-up forms are available at the official B-58
Hustler Association web site.
Look for Current Newsletter link near the bottom of the page.
Click on the Hustler Ass'n logo below.